Most common mistakes in the exam
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Transcript of Most common mistakes in the exam
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#1
There are 2 tasks where the maximum number of words
acceptable for a correct answer is set. The limit is 3 words at B1
level, and 5 words at B2 and C1 levels. If your answer exceeds the
limit, you will not get a score for that specific question even if the
answer is right.
Example (B2 level, Reading Part 4):
Most common mistakes in the exam
Reading and Listening:
The candidate's answer exceeds the
set number of words acceptable for a
correct answer.
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Most common mistakes in the exam
Listening, Reading and Writing parts:
Candidates don’t check for errors.
#2
When you feel you have finished the piece, go through
the text checking it for spelling, grammar and
prepositional errors.
Example:
”Hi Eve, I spoked (1) with John and he told me about our holiday. I
am really looking forward to spend (2) time with you…”
The above candidate could have easily scored higher marks if
he/she had checked his/her answer.
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#3
Most common mistakes in the exam
Listening Part 4:
Candidates tend to forget that they
have a second chance to listen to the
recordings in the Listening part of the
exam.
This part is the longest recording you hear. Remember that you
need to keep listening with attention right up to the end of the
conversation and that you have a second chance to confirm
your answer.
For example, you can hear words for the first time that could
lead you to choose the wrong answer. However if you wait and
listen carefully in the second round, you can put the clues
together to help you find the correct option.
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Most common mistakes in the exam
Reading parts:
Candidates spend too much time on
this part and then do not have enough
time for the Writing section.
#4
There are lots of course books and practice test booklets which
have good texts to read, and questions to answer afterwards.
Practise as much as possible under time pressure; give yourself
30 minutes the first time and then try to get it down to 15 with
practice. This will mean you should not take too long on the
reading tasks.
Read a lot in English and practise using a dictionary.
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#5
Most common mistakes in the exam
Reading Part 3:
Candidates think they need to
understand every word in the text in
order to complete the task.
This part of the exam tests how well you can understand texts
for general purpose, meaning and for specific details. You
will be given 4 texts all about the same topic.
You don’t need to understand every word in the texts to
answer the questions but you need to read the texts carefully
because the information you need will only be in one text, but
words from the question may appear in several of the texts.
The questions you answer are not connected so if you can’t find
one of the answers it won’t affect your answers to the other
questions.
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#6
Most common mistakes in the exam
Writing parts:
Candidates run out of time so they
don’t finish the writing task.
We recommend that you plan your time before you start the
Reading and Writing tasks. Do all of the Reading that you can do
easily and leave anything difficult. Make sure you move on to
the Writing when you still have plenty of time left. You can go
back to finish the Reading later, if you need to.
Writing: plan your work! Use mind maps instead of starting
to write straight away! A mind map helps you plan and
organise the structure of your writing task:
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Most common mistakes in the exam
Writing parts:
Candidates don’t use vivid words or
more complex structures.
#7
When you are preparing for the exam, remember that you have
to show the examiner that your language skills are at the level
being tested and therefore it is vital that you show them what
you know. Replace simple general words such as nice, good,
big etc. with more specific synonyms - e.g. 'perfect', 'horrible',
'pleasant'.
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#8
Most common mistakes in the exam
Writing parts, B2 Communicator level:
Candidates don’t think enough about
what they want to say and who they
are writing to.
Writing Part 1 tests how well you can produce a formal
response to a short text (letter, report, graph, etc.) You are
expected to show that you are aware of the differences
between formal and informal writing. You should use
forms such as ’I would like to’ instead of ’I want to’. Choose
appropriate words e.g. ’I have received’, not ’I’ve got’.
Writing Part 2 tests how well you can produce a piece of
informal writing. Your writing should be in a style which is
appropriate to your target reader. In a letter to a friend,
for example, it is natural to use contractions like I’m or it’s.
You can write creatively, but make sure that what you write
fits with the topic and the question.
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#9
Most common mistakes in the exam
Speaking Part 1:
Candidates do not know how to answer
the simplest questions.
This part always starts in the same way. The interlocutor will ask
you to spell your family name. Make sure you know how to
pronounce the letters of the alphabet accurately in English.
The interlocutor has a list of questions to ask you. All you have
to do is answer. All the topics will be familiar: your daily life,
the people and places you know, your likes, dislikes, etc.
Do not simply answer ’Yes’ or ’No’; give full answers to
demonstrate your range of language. Practise giving an answer
and adding more information; words like ’because’ and ’but’
make it natural to say more. The interlocutor may ask ’Why?’
or ’Why not?’ to give you the chance to say more.
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#10
Most common mistakes in the exam
Speaking Part 2:
Candidates misunderstand which role
they have to play in the situations.
In this part of the Spoken exam the interlocutor will read two
situations. You won’t see the situations written down. If you
miss something the interlocutor says, ask to hear the situation
again.
1. In the first situation the interlocutor will speak first and
you will respond.
2. In the second situation the interlocutor will ask you to
start.
There may be a third situation – it depends on the time.
Remember, you are always yourself in a social situation - the
interlocutor will tell you the role she/he is playing.
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#11
Most common mistakes in the exam
Speaking Part 2:
Candidates misunderstand which role
they have to play in the situations.
In this part of the Spoken exam you will have a task sheet. At
some levels you will have different information to the
interlocutor – at some levels you will both have the same
information. You and the interlocutor will exchange information
and ideas and try to make a decision together.
Remember:
You have 20 seconds to think about what you are going to
say.
Don’t be afraid to disagree – it’s all part of the test.
You and the interlocutor don’t have to talk about everything
on your task sheet. The important thing is to keep talking.
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#12
Most common mistakes in the exam
Speaking Part 4:
Candidates think that they are being
tested on their knowledge of the topic.
In this part of the spoken exam you are going to talk on your
own. You have 30 seconds to make notes.
Remember:
You are not being tested on your knowledge of any topic!
You have 30 seconds to make notes. Don’t try to write full
sentences to read out, just make notes of the most
important things you want to say. (The notes you make are
not assessed.)
Speak for as long as you can. When you finish, the
interlocutor will ask you some follow-up questions.
